#poverty_hill

It's that time of year again! My garlic chives are blossoming so I gathered them up. Washed them thoroughly. Ran them through the salad spinner so that I didn't water down my vinegar. Mashed them unceremoniously into a mason jar and covered them with white distilled vinegar. Then I let it set for at least 24 hours and it turns the most gorgeous color. The smell is fantastic, but it tastes even better. This vinegar is a real treat on a fresh salad, especially one that I have grown myself. I planted six different varieties of lettuce this year. Which is something I never thought I would say ever because I used to be of the opinion that lettuce was useless. The equivalent of cheap filler. But that's because I had only ever had commercially grown lettuce, and it wasn't the best. Then I grew lettuce myself one year and completely changed my own mind. It's amazing how much better things taste when they are freshly harvested. So I will be saving this wonderful vinegar for my lettuce and I will enjoy it thoroughly. Happy Thursday my friends. Stay safe, stay well. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #homesteadersofinstagram #homemade #handmade #garlicchives #chiveblossoms #chiveblossomvinegar #realfood #slowfood #ruralpa #countryliving #simplelife #simplepleasures #simplejoys #slowliving #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeTg49QOQ-N/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Since I was outside working today anyway I took my phone with me and I braved the icy wilds of the goat paddock in order to get pictures. As you can see my herd has grown a little bit and everyone is doing very well. In fact they're looking a little chonky. I tend to err on the side of more rather than less feed because well fed animals have a much easier time staying warm. I'm really looking forward to spring when there will be fresh forage for these guys. They always enjoy that. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #homesteadersofinstagram #goats #dwarfnigeriangoats #crazygoatlady #stayathomegoatmom #minifarm #farmher #ruralpa #countryliving #simplelife #slowliving #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaNmrbWPRRL/?utm_medium=tumblr

Right now there is a box in my living room because I'm in the process of transferring all of my movies to a media server, then packing them up for storage. Less clutter is a good thing. There's also a cat in that box because Sully says it's his. He's been told the box is for movies, several times, but he refuses to vacate. He's been spending quite a lot of quality time with the box, he's bitten it a time or two and had himself a long luxurious nap. He's out cold in that picture, I don't think he's faking it. I don't think he's going to go peacefully either. The plan isn't to fight him over it, I'd lose, I know this. The plan is to slowly add movies to the box as I finish ripping them and hopefully by the time I'm done filling it he will be interested in something else. If that plan fails I'll simply find another box. I'm betting Amazon will send me one sooner or later LOL. I try not to impose my will on the cats any more than is strictly necessary, they live here and deserve to be happy and I love them. Happy Friday my friends. Stay safe, stay well. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #homesteadersofinstagram #techupgrade #plex #sully #catinthebox #flerkin #stayathomecatmom #crazycatlady #lovemykitties #hesnotspoiled #ruralpa #howwerollroundhere #countryliving #simplelife #simplepleasures #slowliving #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ0LgNULF4u/?utm_medium=tumblr

A few months ago we made the decision to move the ducks over to the side lot next to my yard. It was getting harder and harder to convince them that they needed to be in the coop at night. I won't try to explain to you the absolute joy of chasing a duck through a dark wet yard whilst simultaneously cussing out said duck. You'll just have to use your imagination. Now they are protected by electric bird net fencing and this is what they do all day. They are calm, quiet and peaceful. I think they like it. Bonus, I don't have to chase ducks. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #homesteaders #duckmom #pekinducks #happyducks #ruralpa #countryliving #simplelife #noduckleftbehind #duckhearding #slowliving #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPKJldQHRwg/?utm_medium=tumblr

Chive blossom vinegar update. This is for anyone who has never seen this gorgeous stuff. This is the color of homemade goodness. The color comes from lavender colored garlic chive flowers, and the color isn't even the best part. It smells better than it looks, and it tastes better than that. Yes I went and stood in my yard so y'all could see this in all of it's colorful glory, you're welcome. You can't buy this vinegar in any store that I know of, you have to make it yourself. Typically that means growing your own chives and harvesting the blossoms, unless you have an inattentive neighbor with a green thumb. I don't recommend liberating things from other people's gardens, gardeners get a little grumpy about that and many of us are armed. I'm just saying I wouldn't risk it, you make your own choices. Happy Saturday my friends, it's a gorgeous warm sunny day in Pennsylvania and I'm enjoying every minute of it. I hope you are too wherever you may be. Stay safe, stay well. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #homesteadersofinstagram #homemade #infusedvinegar #chiveblossomvinegar #beautiful #beautyiswhereyoufindit #homecrafts #homemaking #homemakingisanart #keeperoftheoldways #keepingtheoldwaysalive #frugal #frugallife #frugalcooking #gormetonabudget #playwithyourfood #ruralpa #countrylife #countryliving #simplelife #simplepleasures #slowliving #slowfood #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPwDAC2necT/?utm_medium=tumblr

So Sully went to see Dr. Ben the vet this morning. He was neutered, got his distemper shot and at my request had his teeth checked. Because his breath is horrific and live things shouldn't smell like that. Yes I said that, yes they wrote it in his chart. He's got some inflammation in his mouth, an antibiotic, and he will be seeing Dr. Ben again in two weeks. As of 6pm he's still pretty stoned and he's been crawling all over me and falling into his water dish like a furry little crackhead. I don't mind the cuddles one bit but I could do without the soggy paws. He's so sweet and loving I don't know what I would ever do without him. I mean look at that adorable little face, I couldn't possibly love him more. He is the bebbie. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #homesteadersofinstagram #sully #flerkin #flerkinmaintenance #snipsnip #stayathomecatmom #crazycatlady #iwonderwhoheate #ruralpa #countryliving #simplelife #slowliving #myfurbabies #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNYautDBW_u/?igshid=j03zh142xxy0

I did some baking yesterday so I gathered up a few things for my parents. Cinnamon rolls because I'm sure my mother could smell them from next door and she'd never forgive me if I didn't share. A couple of knitted cloths I made, one of cotton and the other of jute. I also added a bar of homemade tallow soap that I've had curing for a few months. I hope she enjoys it. Nothing fancy but I'm a firm believer in showing my love everyday and not just on special occasions. Never let a day pass without telling the people you care about how important they are, you aren't guaranteed to get another chance. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #homesteadersofinstagram #simplepleasures #simplelife #ruralpa #countryliving #knitting #soapmaking #homemadegoodness #homemaking #homemakingisanart #slowliving #handmadewithlove #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CK9gKG-AK9r/?igshid=1axzxsrbcb5db

Soooo, I did a thing. Well, actually, I made a thing. I have no idea what to call the thing so I'll tell you what its for instead. Sometimes a chicken will get it into her adorable little head that she needs to lay her egg in some crazy out-of-the-way spot surrounded by poop instead of in the convenient and clean nesting boxes provided to her. This usually requires somebody (me usually) to fold themselves into a pretzel and crawl through the poop in order to retrieve the egg. I don't like being that somebody. I'd like to avoid the poop and the crazy bending if I can. So this is for retrieving eggs. I got the ugly plastic spaghetti thingy at a yard sale last year. I found the pole in my garage behind a bunch of other crap and I thought it would be perfect. It is. (Of course it is) Admittedly it took me a few weeks to get around to putting them together but now they are and it works beautifully. It's very high tech, I used duct tape. Sometimes you just have to make your own tools. Have a beautiful Friday my friends. Stay safe, stay well. #poverty_hill #homestead #tools #eggretreival #makeityourself #figuringitout #ducttapeinnovations #ihandledit #farmlife #countryliving #slowliving #simplelife #stayinghome #frugalliving #ruralpa #farmher #farmherfriday #howwedoit #pretzelnomore #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCwKrEEAgOK/?igshid=1fb95wwrezmd3